Northwest Wayne News

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) recently made appointments to the bench.

She appointed Jeremy Bowie to the 50th District Court for the city of Pontiac and Shawn Jacque to the 36th District Court for the city of Detroit, according to a press release from her office.

"I want to thank Gov. Whitmer for appointing me to the 36th District Court bench," Jacque said in the press release. "As a lifelong Detroiter, serving the citizens of Detroit has always been paramount to me. Being given the opportunity to serve the citizens and the city as a judge is truly a great honor."

Jacque worked in the 36th District Court of Detroit since 2020, the press release noted. He started as deputy general counsel and most recently was employed as general counsel. In that role, he managed the legal affairs of the court and served as legal advisor to the chief judge and various court departments.

"Shawn and Jeremy are committed public servants who will serve Michigan admirably and uphold justice," Whitmer said in the press release. "I am proud to appoint them today and will continue working with our judicial system to protect the rule of law and stand strong for every Michigander."

Prior to serving on the district court, Jacque was a private-practice attorney who worked in the areas of contracts, criminal law, real property, landlord-tenant, and consumer protection, according to the press release. His tenure also included working as a litigation attorney for State Farm Insurance and corporate counsel for the Detroit Diesel Corporation. Prior to those positions, he was an assistant prosecutor in Wayne County, assistant United States attorney, and assistant corporation counsel for the city of Detroit.

Jacque fills the void left by Judge Lydia Nance Adams, who resigned on Oct. 14, the press release noted. His term started on Dec. 27 and is expected to end at noon on Jan. 1, 2025. Jacque must run for reelection in November 2024 if he wants to serve the remainder of Adams' term, which ends on Jan. 1, 2029.